Folding table



Aug. 7, 1928. 1,619,447

H. PUFF FOLDING TABLE n Filed July 17, 1926 Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES HENRY PUFF, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. i

FOLDING TABLE.

Application led July 17, 1926.v Serial No. 123,149.

This invention relates to folding tables and particularly to folding tables of the type illustrated in my Patent No. 1,368,452, granted February 15, 1921.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a table which while particularly adapted for camping and for ready transportation on an automobile, may also be used for card playing, lawn parties, hotels, and in fact wherever an extra table is needed. i

A further object is to provide a table of this character which is very rigid, and which will not sag in the center and which folds up into extremely compact form.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an underside plan view of my improved table folded;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View with the legs in supporting position;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the table when the latter is folded;

Fig. 5 is a sectional perspective view showing the manner of mounting the legs.

Referring to these drawings it will be seen that the top of the table is formed in two sections 10 and 11. Each of these sections is bounded around three sides by the depending rail or bead 12. To one of these rails a handle 13 is attached whereby the table when folded may be lifted and latch hooks are applied to one of the sections on the rail 12 to engage eyes on the rail of the other section.

The abutting side edges of the sections are provided with relatively short rails 14 .which do not extend to the end rails but terminate in spaced relation thereto and these rails 14 are hinged to each other by ordinary hinges 15 and 15a.

Disposed against the table top sections at both ends of each section are the cross bars 16, these cross bars termina-ting short of the side rails 12 and being spaced inward of the end rails. The cross bars of one section abut against the cross bars of the next adjacent section and are hinged to each other by the hinges 17. Each cross bar 16 carries a leg 18 and each cross bar is pivotally mounted at its opposite ends upon angle irons 19 which are attached by screws or other means to the adjacent bead. The cross bars 16 arc pivoted between the respective pairs of brackets by'means of the pivot pins 2O which may be of any suitable character. 0bviou'sly this pivotal mounting permits the cross bars 16 with the legs 18 to be turned into a plane at right angles to the plane of the table top or into a plane parallel to the table top. Folding braces of a well known form and designated 21 are pivoted to the legs and rails respectively, these braces being each formed in two sections and pivoted to each other at 22 so that when the legs and the cross bars 16 are t-urned into a vertical position, the braces 21 will lock and hold the legs from inward movement until the braces are broken. The legs are attached to the cross bars or braces 16 by means of two countersunk screws 22 or other suitable devices for this purpose.

It will be seen that inasmuch as the table top is formed of two sections and the cross bars which support the legs are also formed in two sections at each end, the two sections of the table top and the cross bars may be turned into a parallel confronting relation and that when in this condition the edges of the rails 12 and the legs will be entirely enclosed and the table will simply have a thickness equal to twice the thickness of the rails. The legs are supported against inward movement towards each other and toward the line of division between the sections by reason of the fact that the legs are mounted firmly upon thel extremity of the cross bars 16. This makes the legs very rigid against strains transversely of the table and the braces 21 hold the legs rigidly aga-inst any tendency of the legs at one end ofthe table to turn toward the legs at the other end of the table.

The two sections of the table top arev firmly engaged with each other for swinging movement from an open to a closed position and vice versa by the hinges 15, 15a and 17.

It is obvious that the table may be made of any desired dimensions, of any suitable material, that it is very light, compact, easily folded or unfolded and is suitable for a large variety of uses.

I claim Y A table comprising a top formed in two sections, each section having a depending rail around three sides, each section on its fourth side having a longitudinally extend- ,ing rail, hinge means connecting said last named rails whereby the two sections may be turned into confronting relation to thereby form a carrying receptacle, the last named rails terminating short of the ends of the sections, cross bars disposed adjacent the ends of the sections and outward of the ends of' the lastnamed rails, each cross bar at its inner end terminating on the line between the sections, each cross bar having a length less than the Width of the section with which it is associated, legs, one for each cross bar, extending across the end of the corresponding cross bar and rigidly engaged therewith, the cross bars at each end of the table being hingedly engaged with each other at the joint between the sections, angle iron brackets attached to the end rail of each scction at the extremities of the corresponding cross bar, with which brackets the cross bar is pivotally engaged, and sectional foldable braces operatively engaged with the table top sections and with said legs and acting to hold the legs at right angles to the sections when the legs are unfolded.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix my signature.

HENRY PUFF. 

